Annual Dirty 30 Bike Race raises money for school projects

Pays for things not included in budget

Oct. 5, 2013

Written by

Francesca Sacco

The Eagle-Gazette Staff

LANCASTER — The Lancaster Public Education Foundation is inviting the community to come out and ride in the fourth annual Dirty 30 Bike Race on Oct. 20 at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.

The race raises money for the foundation, which provides grants for Lancaster City Schools to fund projects not covered in its budget.

Foundation Director Craig Vandervoort said the group hopes to issue $8,000 worth of grants this year. If the foundation reaches it’s goal, Vandervoort said it will have provided $45,000 in grants.

“We’re pretty happy about that. The money goes right to the kids,” Vandervoort said. “The Dirty 30 Bike Race offers something for adults and for kids. It gets pretty exciting.”

Vandervoort said the race includes children’s, team and solo events. There are minimum donations of $15, $100 and $25, respectively, to participate. The donations go directly toward the school the rider is representing.

During the team and solo events, participants are given 30 minutes to ride as many laps as possible around the dirt track.

In 2012, Tarhe Elementary School was awarded more than $1,200. Principal Dustin Knight said the money really makes a difference.

“It’s really important for us,” Knight said.

“We don’t qualify for a lot of grants, so anytime we are able to get money, we take advantage of it.”

Knight said 2012’s grant allowed the school to purchase four additional iPads for its two iPad labs.

“The best thing about this is that the community is giving back to the community,” he said. “The foundation is just outstanding.”

Jack Greathouse, principal at Lancaster High School, said the bike race is a blast.

“It unites all the schools,” he said. “Plus it allows us to do things that the budget would not normally allow.”